Haredi

Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees. 


Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families. 


Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married. 


There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.


One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.

Understanding the ultra-Orthodox: Is haredim in the army a pipe dream or within reach?

Fears, hopes, and the IDF’s efforts to work with the community – and improve conditions to maximize ultra-Orthodox recruitment

Soldiers of the Neztah Yehuda Battalion complete the final stages of a 40 kilometer journey all throught the night of Feb 16 2010.
PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG with Sheikh Muafak Tarif and members of the Druze delegation.

Grapevine, July 25, 2025: A future theocracy?

HAREDI DEMONSTRATORS protest in Jerusalem on July 23, 2025.

'Enlistment=Genocide': Haredi protesters assault police in Jerusalem, block city entrance

 Chaim Rotter arrives to a court hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Tel Aviv, July 2, 2025

Indictment against accused sex offender Chaim Rotter expected Sunday


New haredi draft proposal by reservist NGOs gains traction on Knesset, still no clear framework

According to the proposal, all haredi men will receive draft summons and be required to serve in the IDF, although the outline does not explain why it would be limited to men.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer, central Israel, April 28, 2025

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's attacks on Edelstein ignore his sacrifices for Judaism - opinion

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef seems to ignore who Yuli Edelstein really is: someone who physically risked his life for the observance of Torah and mitzvot.

 Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024.

National healing begins with a much needed change in politics - editorial

We may be naive, but at the same time truly believe that there is a small and important opportunity for change.

Even as Shas followed United Torah Judaism’s lead and declared on Wednesday it was leaving the government, it did so with a major caveat: ‘We are leaving the government, but we are not quitting the coalition.’ Here, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits alongside Shas chairman Arye Deri in 2023.

Geula: Jerusalem's beating heart of ultra-Orthodox life

Originally just one small district, Geula has become so synonymous with haredi life that its name now blankets an entire cluster of neighborhoods. 

 Several haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) are seen walking around Jerusalem's Geula neighborhood.

'My conscience is clear': Why MK Yuli Edelstein won't settle for a soft haredi draft - interview

"This law ends the phenomenon of pretending to study Torah. To me, that’s a disgrace to the world of Torah," Edelstein told Maariv.

 Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee MK Yuli Edelstein speaks at the Muni Expo 2025 conference in Tel Aviv, on July 15, 2025.

Belief in the Haredi sector: Ruby capital to finance two projects worth NIS 245 million

Ruby Capital expands in the ultra-Orthodox sector with two new deals in Kiryat Sefer and Bnei Brak for 170 units. Overall, it finances 2,200+ units in the sector, totaling NIS 1.2 billion.

 Modi'in Illit

Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, Shas's Arbel rescinds resignation

Arye Deri to remain in Netanyahu's security cabinet, despite Shas leaving government • Interior Minister Moshe Arbel to stay in role to complete 'urgent tasks'

 ARYE DERI is escorted outside his home in Jerusalem on Wednesday.

Israel Police, with FBI's help, collect testimony from Chaim Rotter victim in US

Rotter's arrest has been consistently extended, and several others who are close to him were apprehended for questioning as well. 

 Chaim Rotter arrives to a court hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Tel Aviv, July 2, 2025

Behind yeshiva walls: The hidden sexual abuse in haredi communities - opinion

It seems that every time a new scandal erupts, the deep fracture within the haredi community is exposed once again.

 HAREDI YESHIVA students: These 135,000 boys, and then men, and then senior citizens, who will also not pay health tax, will place a heavy burden on the health care system in around 60 years’ time.

Trump hints at 'good news' regarding Gaza as Israel shows flexibility in hostage talks

Sirens by Dead Sea after Houthi missile launch • Shas exits Netanyahu's gov't,• Syrian Druze leaders reach ceasefire in Sweida • Israel's Druze community infiltrates Syria •

Demonstrators protest for the release of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, July 2, 2025

Netanyahu, Smotrich visit IDF haredi brigade, praises soldiers' willingness to serve

Netanyahu, Smotrich, and senior defense officials, met with soldiers and commanders at the training facility and received a briefing on the brigade's operations.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the IDF’s Hasmonean Brigade training base in the Jordan Valley July 15, 2025